As franchisors implement and expand their DEI initiatives, each brand may undertake slightly different paths, or may focus resources in different ways to increase diversity throughout their systems. Franchise Times recently published an article describing some of these approaches, as well as challenges facing franchisors.

Dallas Startup Week (DSW) takes place in September every year; this year’s event was hosted by University of North Texas on September 10-14.

In this month’s Increasing Diversity in Franchising article, Iris Rosario, Senior Counsel of Franchise for Choice Hotels International, stands as an admirable example of one who never forgets her roots.

As part of Lathrop GPM’s Increasing Diversity in Franchising initiative, we have explored and conducted webinars on various facets of increasing diversity in franchising, including access to capital, educational initiatives that focus on business in general and franchising specifically, franchise issues for prospective franchisees, outreach through diverse professional organizations, and franchisor DEI goals and programs.  We now want to drill down and focus on individual franchisors and their brand-specific DEI initiatives. First up: Ben & Jerry’s.

Diverse perspectives enrich business environments through varied ideas and understanding of different clientele. Franchising is no exception. By engaging with diverse franchisees and franchisors, investing in franchises in diverse communities, and deploying organizational strategies to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion, the franchising industry becomes more accessible, collaborative, and innovative.

Lathrop GPM’s Increasing Diversity in Franchising initiative was launched in October 2021 to help increase ownership and participation in franchising within underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.

In 2021, Lathrop GPM launched a speaker series and initiative designed to increase franchise ownership by underrepresented racial and ethnic groups – as both franchisees and franchisors. In this month’s content, we shine the spotlight on Carlos White, one of the leaders of our Diversity in Franchising efforts.

In 2021, Lathrop GPM launched a speaker series and initiative designed to increase franchise ownership by underrepresented racial and ethnic groups – as both franchisees and franchisors. Our professionals are passionate about the industry and believe encouraging and educating franchisors and potential franchisees from diverse communities will help them capitalize on business opportunities they may not otherwise explore.

In 2021, Lathrop GPM launched a speaker series and initiative designed to increase ownership in franchising by underrepresented racial and ethnic groups – as both franchisees and franchisors.